extramural settlement

Left The remains of the Classical temple excavated outside Maryport Roman fort, as well as the earlier ditch over which it was built. The two columns in antis of the façade can be seen in the foreground. right The pit in which the ‘new’ altar was found. The square post pipe has been half sectioned on the diagonal, and part of the stone post packing has been removed, revealing the top of the altar. Its discovery was key to understanding that the altars had not been buried for ritual reasons, but had been recycled as packing material for a monumental building.

Settlement and sacred structures: exploring cultic and commercial activity at Maryport

Excavations at Maryport have shed vivid light on activity outside the Roman fort, from possible temple buildings and buried altars to signs of more everyday life. Tony Wilmott, Ian Haynes, and John Zant explain more.